Wall-mounted furniture system

ABSTRACT

A wall mounted shelving system for electronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installation wire management and that can also be easily positionally adjusted post-installation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/950,325, entitled WALL-MOUNTED FURNITURE SYSTEM,filed Jul. 17, 2007, said application being fully incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wall mounted furniture systems and morespecifically to wall mounted shelving systems for electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic display devices such as stereo components, DVD players,surround sound systems, and LCD flat panel displays are in widespreaduse in commercial, industrial, institutional and home settings. There isoften a need to mount these devices to a wall in order to save counter,table or floor space. Numerous specialized mounts and shelving systemshave been developed for the purpose of mounting electronic devices fromwalls.

Cables and wires for supplying signal and power to a mounted devicepresent certain challenges. These wires and cables are unsightly and itis therefore desirable to conceal them in the mount or in otherstructures associated with the mount. Pre-fabricated wires, especiallyvideo and signal cables, are generally terminated at both ends withmolded plugs or connectors, which may be relatively large. Existingmount systems typically do not define wire channels or passages largeenough and properly configured so as to accommodate the passage of theseconnectors after the mount is installed. This results in unsightly wiresand cables protruding from the mounting device or in additionaldifficulty, expense and delay in mount installation.

Another drawback of existing mounting systems relates to height andlocation adjustment of the system. For aesthetic reasons, it is oftendesirable to mount devices at a very specific height and location on thewall. Existing mounting systems are often fixedly attached in onelocation on the wall and therefore often require a great deal ofattention and effort during installation to ensure that the mount willbe positioned on the wall as desired before being attached. Onceattached, the position of the mount cannot be adjusted without removingit and relocating the attachment fasteners. In addition, it may not bepossible to relocate the device only a small distance due to holes inthe wall made by fasteners during the previous installation.

What is needed in the industry is a wall mounted shelving system forelectronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installationwire management and that can also be easily positionally adjustedpost-installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wall mounted furniture systems according to the present inventionaddress the need of the industry for a wall mounted shelving system forelectronic devices that provides simple and effective post-installationwire management and that can also be easily positionally adjustedpost-installation. According to an embodiment of the invention, a wallmounted shelving system includes a frame with a plurality of spacedapart parallel vertical members coupled by spaced apart horizontalmounting brackets. The vertical members include a centrally positionedwire management channel flanked by shelf attachment columns. The wiremanagement channel defines a forwardly facing slot along with aplurality of laterally facing wire apertures. The shelf attachmentcolumns define a forwardly facing shelf adjustment channel thatslidingly receives a plurality of shelf attachment cars. Each of aplurality of forwardly extending horizontal shelves is supported bycoupling to laterally registered cars in each of the shelf adjustmentchannels. With the shelves in place, a wire can be routed from a firstpiece of equipment on one of the shelves through the forwardly facingslot in the wire management channel at a location above the shelf onwhich the piece of equipment rests and laterally out through aproximately located wire aperture into the space between the wiremanagement channel and an adjacent shelf attachment column. The wire canthen be routed upward or downward to and through a wire apertureproximate a second one the shelves, and through the forwardly facingslot at a location above the second shelf. The wire can then beconnected to a second piece of equipment resting on the second shelf.Concealment panels can then be fitted between the wire managementchannel and the shelf attachment columns to conceal the wire from view.

The spaced apart horizontal mounting brackets include a u-shaped channelformed along the upper edge thereof and a flange formed along the loweredge. A pair of elongate wall plates is included, each wall plate havingprojecting flanges formed along the upper and lower edges thereof. Thewall plates are spaced apart on the wall at locations corresponding tothe location of the horizontal mounting brackets at a desired height ofthe system on the wall. The system can then be attached to the wall byhooking the u-shaped channel over the upper edge of the wall plate. Alocking fastener can then be inserted through the flange at the loweredge of the horizontal mounting bracket so as to extend under the lowerprojecting flange of the wall plate, thus preventing the u-shapedchannel from being disengaged from the wall plate. Before insertion ofthe locking fastener, the u-shaped channel is laterally slidable on theupper flange of the wall plate, thereby enabling limited lateralpositioning of the system on the wall.

In another embodiment, the system includes a wall mounting interfaceassembly and a plurality of shelves. The wall mounting interfaceassembly generally includes an elongate housing, which may be a unitaryextrusion formed from aluminum, defining a plurality of longitudinallyextending parallel channels proximate a rear side of the housing, and aseparate elongate wall plate presenting a plurality of projecting hooks.A load-bearing plate is received in one of the channels and a lockingplate is slidably received in an adjacent one of the channels. Each ofthe load bearing plate and the locking plate define a plurality ofapertures for receiving a separate one of the hooks of the wall plate.The wall plate is attached to the wall with the hooks facing outward. Toattach the housing to the wall plate, the apertures in the load bearingplate and locking plate are registered by sliding the locking plate to afirst position. The hooks are then inserted through the apertures in thelocking plate and the load plate. The hooks have upwardly facing slotsregistered with the locking plate, such that the locking plate can beslid into a second position wherein the locking plate is engaged in theslots in the hooks to lock the housing to the wall plate. When thehousing is thus engaged on the wall plate, the edges of the apertures inthe load-bearing plate bear on a load bearing surface of each hook totransfer the load on the shelves to the wall plate and the wall.

The position of the load-bearing plate in the housing is verticallyadjustable relative to the housing with an adjusting screw. The verticalposition of the housing and attached shelves can be adjusted,post-installation, with this adjusting screw within a limited range oftravel.

The housing further defines a shelf adjustment channel proximate a frontside with a forwardly facing slot, and a pair of rearwardly facinggenerally v-shaped grooves flanking the slot. The shelf adjustmentchannel slidingly receives a shelf attachment member therein. The shelfattachment member defines a pair of wedge-shaped projectionscorresponding to the v-shaped grooves. A shelf support member isattached to the shelf attachment member with a fastener. The shelfattachment member may be fixed against sliding in the shelf adjustmentchannel by tightening the fastener, causing the wedge-shaped projectionsto be drawn into the v-shaped grooves. As the fastener is tightened, themating of the wedge-shaped projections with the v-shaped grooves causesthe slot to be narrowed, thereby preventing the shelf attachment memberfrom being drawn through the slot and increasing the frictional forceholding the shelf attachment member in position in the shelf adjustmentchannel.

In embodiments of the invention, the shelf support members may includeshelf support pads or bumpers that are faced with a high friction, lowslip material, thereby inhibiting slippage of the shelf on the shelfsupport member and preventing the shelf from being drawn forwardly awayfrom the housing or frame.

The housing also defines laterally facing wire management channels oneach side thereof. Wires may be routed through these channels fromequipment on one shelf to equipment on other shelves. The wires can beconcealed from view with snap-in covers fitted over the openings to thechannel.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, a furniture system adapted to mount onthe wall of a structure includes a body portion adapted to mate with aplanar, generally vertical surface of a wall. The body portion definesat least one vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wirestherein and having structure receiving a plurality of shelf supportbrackets. The system further includes a plurality of shelves, each ofthe shelves supported on a separate one of the shelf support brackets.

In embodiments of the invention, the body portion may include anelongate generally vertically oriented column structure. The columnstructure defines a pair of vertically oriented wire channels, each ofthe wire channels having a laterally facing opening. The system mayfurther include a pair of covers, each cover for covering a separate oneof the laterally facing openings.

In an embodiment, the structure receiving a plurality of shelf supportbrackets may be a vertical channel in the body portion, the channeldefined by opposing side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall. The frontwall defines an elongate vertically oriented opening and inwardlyoriented v-shaped grooves on either side of the opening. Each of theshelf support brackets includes a shelf-height adjustment block defininga pair of spaced apart pointed members, the shelf-height adjustmentblocks received in the vertical channel with the pointed members engagedin the v-shaped grooves.

In other embodiments, each of the shelf support brackets of the systemhas at least one contact portion for contacting the shelf. The shelfcontact portion may be faced with a high friction, low slip material toinhibit slippage of the shelf on the shelf support member.

In further embodiments, the body portion may include a pair of shelfattachment columns, the columns disposed on opposite sides of the wiremanagement channel and spaced apart from the wire management channel.Each of the shelf attachment columns may define a forwardly facing shelfadjustment channel, with the system further including a plurality ofshelf attachment cars, each of the cars slidingly received in one of theshelf adjustment channels.

The system may include a wall interface plate presenting an upwardlyoriented flange and the body portion may present a hook structure. Thehook structure is engagable over the upwardly oriented flange of thewall interface plate to support the furniture system on the wall. Thesystem may further include locking structure for selectively inhibitingdisengagement of the hook structure from the wall interface plate.

In other embodiments, a furniture system adapted to mount on the wall ofa structure includes a body portion adapted to mate with a planar,generally vertical surface of a wall, the body portion defining at leastone vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wires therein, aplurality of shelves, and means for coupling the plurality of shelveswith the body portion. The means for coupling the plurality of shelveswith the body portion may be a plurality of shelf support brackets andstructure for receiving each one of the plurality of shelf supportbrackets.

In other embodiments, the furniture system may include a heightadjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the body portionrelative to the wall interface plate when the hook structure is engagedwith the wall interface plate.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that wires andcables can be easily concealed from view within the systempost-installation.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that thelocation of the system on the wall can be easily adjustedpost-installation.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that a shelfattachment member or car can be vertically, slidably, positioned at anylocation along a vertical member of the system, thereby enabling shelvesto be individually positioned at any vertical location on the system.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that a shelfattachment member or car has forwardly facing wedge shaped projectionsthat mate with corresponding rearwardly facing v-shaped grooves in ashelf attachment channel, thereby enabling secure vertical positioningof the shelf attachment member and preventing the shelf attachmentmember from being drawn out of the shelf attachment channel byovertightening of fasteners attaching the shelf to the shelf attachmentmember.

Further objects and advantages of particular embodiments of the presentinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review ofthe figures and descriptions of the present invention herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an opposing side view of the wall-mounted furniture system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention with a shelf andportions of the body portion removed;

FIG. 9 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the wall mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the wall mounted furniture system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture systemaccording to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG.13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a side cutaway view of the wall-mounted furniture system ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 19 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 19;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the wall-mounted furniture system of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 a is a fragmentary view of the inset portion of FIG. 20;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted furniture systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the wall mounted furniture system of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a wall plate of a wall-mountedfurniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of components of a height-adjustmentmechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 25 is perspective view of a height-adjustment mechanism of awall-mounted furniture system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a height-adjustment mechanism and awall plate of a wall-mounted furniture system according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a partially transparent perspective view of a wall-mountedfurniture system according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 28 is a partially transparent perspective view of a portion of aheight-adjustment mechanism of a wall-mounted furniture system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention can be more readily understood by reference toFIGS. 1-28 and the following description. While the present invention isnot necessarily limited to such an application, the present inventionwill be better appreciated using a discussion of exemplary embodimentsin such a specific context. Referring to FIGS. 1-28, wall-mountedfurniture system 100 generally includes shelves 102, wall-mountingmechanism 200, and shelf-adjustment mechanism 300. Wall-mountedfurniture system 100 can also include height-adjustment mechanism 400and cable-management system 500.

In an embodiment of the present invention, wall-mounting mechanism 200includes wall plate 210 and mounting bracket 212, as depicted in FIGS. 7and 11. In another embodiment, wall-mounting mechanism 200 haswall-mounting interface assembly 214, as depicted in FIGS. 18-19 and 26.Wall-mounting interface assembly 214 generally includes wall plate 211,mounting bracket 213, and locking bracket 216.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, wall plate 210 has apertures 218. Apertures218 can be elongated apertures 218 a and/or circular apertures 218 b.

Referring to FIG. 11, mounting bracket 212 generally includes upper lip220, lower lip 221, mounting apertures 222, stabilizing apertures 223,and column-mounting apertures 225. Upper lip 220 is generally U-shaped,and lower lip 221 is generally L-shaped in profile with mounting bracket212. In an example embodiment of the present invention, wall plate 210and mounting bracket 212 are rectangular in shape. Although wall plate210 and mounting bracket 212 can be any number of sizes, mountingbracket 212 is generally longer and wider than wall plate 210, asdepicted in FIGS. 7 and 11.

Referring to FIGS. 19-20, wall plate 211 of wall-mounting interfaceassembly 214 has mounting apertures 224 and retaining clips 226.Retaining clips 226 have load-bearing surface 228 and mouth 230.Load-bearing surface 228 is adapted to support mounting bracket 213 andmouth 230 is adapted to receive locking bracket 216.

Referring to FIG. 25, mounting bracket 213 generally has upper portion232 and upper portion 232. Upper portion 232 defines locking aperture236. Main portion 234 defines mounting slots 238.

Referring to FIG. 24, locking bracket 216 has upper potion 240 and mainportion 242. Upper portion 240 defines push-lift 244 and lockingaperture 246. Main portion 242 defines locking slots 248. In an exampleembodiment of the present invention, locking aperture 246 of lockingbracket 216 and locking aperture 236 of mounting bracket 213 are alignedand adapted to receive locking screw 249. Locking slots 248 are designedto receive retaining clips 226 and engage mouth 230 of mounting bracket213.

In various embodiments, wall-mounted furniture system 100 can includeone or more shelf-adjustment mechanisms 300. Shelf-adjustment mechanism300 generally includes vertical column 302 and movable shelf support304. In an example embodiment of the present invention, vertical column302 has housing 306, defining height-adjustment channel 305,bearing-block recess 305 a, cable-management cavities 307, channel 308and track 309, as depicted in FIGS. 20 and 20 a. In another exampleembodiment of the present invention, vertical column 302 has housing306, channel 308 and track 309, and central column 303 has housing 306,defining panel channel 311 and cable-management cavities 307, asdepicted in FIGS. 9 and 9 a. Shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 enablesvertical columns 302 to be selectively raised and lowered.

Housing 306 has outer surface 310, inner surface 312, and side surfaces314. Movable shelf support 304 generally includes support body 316,shelf-height adjustment block 318 and shelf-height locking member 317.Support body 316 generally has support arms 322 and retainer 324. In anexample embodiment of the present invention, both support body 316 andshelf-height adjustment block 318 have locking-member apertures 320which allow support body 316 to be attached to shelf-height adjustmentblock 318 with shelf-height locking member 317, as depicted in FIG. 19.In another example embodiment of the present invention, support body 316has support clips (not shown) which can engage support slots 319 ofshelf-height adjustment block 318 so that support body 316 can beattached to shelf-height adjustment block 318.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 alsohas locking component 326, as depicted in FIG. 21. Locking component 326is substantially planar and has locking-member apertures 320 alignedwith channel 308. Shelf-height adjustment block 318 defines main portion328 and extended portion 330. Main portion 328 has pointed members 332and main surface 334. Extended portion 330 has extended surface 336.Main portion 328 fits within channel 308 and extended portion fitswithin track 309, as depicted in FIG. 20 a. The distance between pointedmembers 332 and the plane defined by extended surface 336 isapproximately the thickness of the portion of housing 306 between outersurface 310 and inner surface 312.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, support arms 322of support body 316 have support clips and shelf-height adjustment block318 defines support-clip slots 319, as depicted in FIG. 10. Shelf-heightadjustment block 318 fits within channel 308 and main portion extendsbetween channel 308 and track 309, as depicted in FIG. 8 a. Supportslots 319 are adapted to receive the support clips of support arms 322.Shelf-height adjustment block 318 also defines apertures 321. Apertures318 are adapted to receive shelf-height locking member 319.

Shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 generally secures shelves 102 in place inrelation to support body 316. Support arms 322 and retainer 324 ofsupport body 316 present bumpers 350. Specifically, retainer 324presents upper bumper 350 a and support arms 322 present lower bumpers350 b. Bumpers 350 present outer surface 352. To ensure that shelves 102are level, the distance between the plane defined by outer surface 352of upper bumpers 350 a and the plane defined by outer surface 352 oflower bumpers 350 b is approximately the thickness of shelf 102.

Lower bumpers 350 b generally include bumper housing 354 defining recess356 and mouth 358, bumper pin 360 and bumper insert 362. Bumper pin 360extends from bumper recess 356 into mouth 358. Mouth 358 of bumper 350is adapted to receive support arm 322 such that bumper 350 rests onsupport arm 322. Bumper 350 receives bumper insert 362. Upper bumper 350a may be substantially similar to lower bumpers 350 b or may include asingle component. In an example embodiment of the present invention,upper bumper 350 a may be integrally formed as a single component.Although upper bumper 350 a and bumper insert 362 can be made from anymaterial, upper bumper 350 a and bumper insert 362 are typically madefrom a material that provides relatively strong adhesion to high surfaceenergy substrates such as metals, glass, polycarbonate and acrylic, andan extremely low slip resilient contact surface. In an embodiment of theinvention, the shelf contact faces of bumpers 350 b, 350, are faced with3M® Bumpon™.

Housing 306 of shelf-adjustment mechanism 300 can receive andsubstantially conceal cables and cords for electrical appliances suchas, for example, audio and video systems. Specifically, housing 306defines one or more cable-management cavities 307. Cable-managementcavities 307 include cable-management opening 370 adapted to receiveretainer clip 372. Retainer clip 372 is selectively positionable withincable-management opening 370 so as to substantially conceal electricalconnectors within cable-management cavities 307.

Wires can be further concealed by end caps 380. End caps 380 generallyfit onto top end 382 and bottom end 384 of housing 306. In an exampleembodiment of the present invention, end caps 380 are secured withfastening members received by housing 306. In another embodiment, endcaps 380 are snap-fit into housing 306. End caps 306 may also be securedto housing 306 by other means without departing from the spirit or scopeof the present invention. Wires are also concealed by removable panels381.

Height-adjustment mechanism 400 enables the vertical position of housing306 to be raised or lowered in relation to wall plate 211.Height-adjustment mechanism 400 generally includes bearing block 402,adjustment block 404 and adjusting screw 406, as depicted in FIG. 25.Height-adjustment mechanism 400 may also include a screw-clamp (notshown). Bearing block 402 has upper surface 410, lower surface 412, anadjusting-screw aperture, and a second aperture. Adjustment block 404has slot-engaging members 420 and an adjusting-screw aperture. Theadjusting screw aperture of bearing block 402 is designed to freelyreceive adjusting screw 406. The adjusting screw aperture of adjustmentblock 404 is designed to engagingly receive the threads of adjustingscrew 406. Mounting slots 238 of mounting bracket 213 are designed tomatingly receive slot-engaging members 420 of adjustment block 404.

To mount wall-mounted furniture system 100, wall plate 210 or 211 isaffixed to a wall by driving mounting screws through apertures 218 inwall plate 210 or 211 after positioning wall plate 210 or 211 at alocation that is generally proximate a desired height above the floor.Mounting screws are preferably anchored in studs or other verticalstructural members, although mounting screws may be anchored in a wallby other means. In an example embodiment of the present invention, wallplate 210 or 211 is anchored by multiple mounting screws.

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 11, a pair of wall plates 210 can behorizontally mounted onto a wall in an embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a mounting screw is driven throughcircular apertures 218 a into a first stud or other vertical supportmember. Another mounting screw can then be driven through elongatedapertures 218 b. The elongated shape of elongated apertures 218 benables a mounting screw to be anchored in or near the center of avertical support member even if variations exist in the spacing betweenvertical support members.

As depicted in FIGS. 18-19, a wall plate 211 can be vertically mountedonto a wall in another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, mounting screws are driven through mounting apertures 218.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, mounting bracket 213and locking bracket 216 are loaded into height-adjustment channel 305 ofhousing 306, as depicted in FIGS. 19 and 28. Specifically, adjustmentblock 404 is attached to mounting bracket 213 by inserting slot-engagingmembers 420 into mounting slots 238. Slot-engaging members 420 aregenerally inserted into mounting slots 238 located near the bottom ofmounting bracket 213 such that the other mounting slots 238 areavailable for mounting onto retaining clips 226 of wall plate 211.Mounting bracket 213 with attached adjustment block 404 and lockingbracket 216 can be inserted through height-adjustment channel 305.Generally, height-adjustment channel 305 is tracked so as to conform tothe shape of mounting bracket 213 (with attached adjustment block 404)and locking bracket 216. Unintended movement of mounting bracket 213 andlocking bracket 216 is thereby substantially limited to translationalsliding between top end 382 and bottom end 384 of housing 306.

Mounting bracket 213 can be movably secured within housing 306 withadjusting screw 406. Adjusting screw 406 extends through an aperture inbearing block 402 and threads into adjustment block 404. Bearing block402 is situated within bearing-block recess 305 a of housing 306. Ascrew-clamp (not shown) can also be situated around adjusting screw 406opposite bearing block 402. Generally, adjusting screw 406 is situatedin a non-threaded, grooved portion of adjusting screw 406.

Adjusting screw 406 is freely rotatable within the aperture of bearingblock 402, but threads in and out of adjustment block 404. In thismanner, upward travel of mounting bracket 213 through height-adjustmentchannel 305 is restricted by the presence of bearing block 402 withinbearing block recess 305 a, while downward travel of mounting bracket213 is restricted by the presence of upper portion 232 that extendsperpendicularly from upper portion 232.

The height of housing 306—to which shelves 102 are functionally attachedthrough shelf-adjustment mechanism 300—in relation to wall plate 211 canthereby be raised or lowered by rotating adjusting screw 406.Specifically, since the weight of wall-mounted furniture system 100maintains the position of mounting bracket 213 on retaining clips 226,rotation of adjusting block causes bearing block 402 to translate inrelation to adjustment block 404. With bearing block 402 situated withinbearing-block recess 305 a of housing, the movement of bearing block 402caused by rotation of adjusting screw 406 produces a correspondingmovement of housing 306. Therefore, the amount of permitted heightadjustment can be varied by changing the length of adjusting screw 406.Once housing 306 is positioned at the desired height, the position canbe locked in, and locking bracket 216 is locked in place by insertinglocking screw 249 into locking aperture 246 of locking bracket 216 andlocking aperture 236 of mounting bracket 213, as depicted in FIGS. 19and 19 a. In preferred embodiments, the post-installation heightadjustment range of housing 306 obtainable with adjusting screw 406 isabout one inch. Hence, wall plate 210 or 211 need only be initiallypositioned within about one-inch of the desired height of the systemabove the room floor, and adjusting screw 406 may be used for fineadjustment of height post installation.

With mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket 216 loaded into housing306, housing 306 can be mounted onto a wall. Specifically, locking slots248 of locking bracket 216 are aligned with mounting slots 238 ofmounting bracket 213. Push-lift 244 in upper portion of 240 of lockingbracket 216 can be raised or lowered by a user to facilitate thealignment of slots 238, 248. Mounting bracket 213 and locking bracket216 are positioned onto wall plate 211 by sliding slots 238, 248, overretaining clips 226. Locking bracket 216 can then be slid downward suchthat locking slots 248 at least partially occupy respective mouths 230formed by retaining clips 226. In this manner, housing 306 cannot beremoved from wall plate 306 without first re-aligning locking slots 248with retaining clips 226 by sliding locking bracket 216 upward. Incontrast to locking bracket 216, mounting bracket 213 rests on anupwardly facing edge of retaining clips 226. Specifically, mountingslots 238 are positioned on top of load-bearing surfaces 228 ofretaining clips 226. In this manner, the load on housing 306—includingthe load of shelves 102 and any objects placed on shelves 102 by auser—is distributed through retaining clips 226 of wall plate 211 into awall.

In another embodiment, vertical columns 302 and central column 303 areattached to both ends of mounting brackets 212, as depicted in FIGS. 1,6-7, 9, and 10-11. Specifically, fasteners can be inserted throughapertures 225 to secure columns 302, 303 to mounting brackets 212.

Mounting brackets 212 are attached to wall plate 210 such that U-shapedupper lip 220 fits over the upper edge of wall plate 210, as depicted inFIGS. 7 and 11. In this embodiment, wall plate 210 is spaced apart fromthe wall. A stabilizing screw can be inserted through stabilizingaperture 213 of wall plate 210. By positioning stabilizing aperture 213from the top of upper lip 220 at a distance similar to the width of wallplate 210, the stabilizing screw substantially prevents U-shaped upperlip 220 from being unintentionally lifted off of wall plate 210. Whenstabilizing screw is removed and mounting bracket 212 is removed fromwall plate 210, L-shaped lower lip 221 can provide a physical limit tothe upward movement of mounting bracket as well as a comfortablegrasping location for the user.

Although shelves can be raised or lowered by raising or loweringvertical columns 302, shelves 102 can also be raised or lowered once theposition of vertical columns 302 has been fixed. Specifically, shelfsupports 304 of shelf-mechanism 304 permit a user to selectively raiseor lower support arms 322 that support shelves 102.

In an embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 andshelf-height adjustment block 318 are attached with shelf-height lockingmember 317, as depicted in FIGS. 12-22. Specifically, shelf-heightadjustment block occupies channel 308 within housing 306 and supportbody 316 is attached to shelf-height adjustment block 318 outside ofhousing 306. In this manner, channel 308 provides a guide for movementof support body 316.

To secure support body 316 in place, shelf-height locking member 317 istightened. As shelf-height locking member 317 is tightened, pointedmembers 332 of main portion 328 of shelf-height adjustment block 318 aredrawn into corresponding v-shaped grooves 332 a in channel 308, asdepicted in FIG. 20 a, and locking component 326 of support body 316 isdrawn against housing 306. By being drawn into the grooves 332 a inchannel 308, pointed members 332 can cause the edges of housing 306which define track 309 to be drawn together, thereby narrowing the widthof track 309. In this manner, the likelihood that the tighteningshelf-height locking member 317 will cause shelf-height adjustment block318 to be drawn through channel 308—which can thereby result in slippageof support body 316—is greatly reduced or eliminated.

The height of support bodies 316 can be adjusted by reversing the aboveprocess. Specifically, as shelf-height locking member 317 is loosened,pointed members 332 are disengaged from the corresponding grooves inchannel 308. Shelf-height adjustment block 318 is thereby able to freelytravel within channel 308, which correspondingly moves of support body316.

In another embodiment of the present invention, support body 316 isattached to shelf-height adjustment block 318 by support clips engagedin support slots 319 as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 8 a. Specifically,shelf-height adjustment block 318 is situated with channel 308. Tosecure shelf-height adjustment block 318 within channel,height-adjustment locking member 319 is inserted through locking memberaperture 320. Extending through locking member aperture 320 and channel308, height-adjustment locking member 319 contacts the back wall ofchannel 308. By tightening height-adjustment locking member 319,shelf-height adjustment block 318 is forced against the front walls ofchannel 308 that define track 309, thereby securing shelf-heightadjustment block 318 in place. Generally, height-adjustment lockingmember 319 has a pointed tip that can create an indentation in the backwall of channel 308 with height-adjustment locking member 319 istightened. The indentation reduces the risk that height-adjustmentlocking member 319 can slip when a load is placed upon shelves 302.

To change the height of support body 316, support body 316 can beremoved from shelf-height adjustment block 318 and height-adjustmentlocking member 319 can be loosened. With height-adjustment lockingmember 319 loosened, shelf-height adjustment block 318 can freely travelwithin channel 308, which acts as a guide for shelf-height adjustmentblock 318. Height-adjustment locking member 319 can then be retightenedand support body 316 reattached to shelf-height adjustment block 318.

Once the selected height of support body 316 has been selected andheight-adjustment locking member 319 tightened, shelves 102 can bepositioned onto support arms 322. Specifically, shelf 102 can beinitially angled by a user so that bottom surface 104 makes firstcontact with lower bumpers 350 b. As shelf 102 is leveled, upper surface106 makes contact with upper bumpers 350 a and additional lower bumpers350 b. In this manner, shelf 102 is supported held in placed by supportarms 322 and retainer 324. The material from which bumpers 350 are facedfrictionally resists translational movement of shelf 102 across bumpers102 to prevent slippage of shelf 102.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, each shelf 102 ofwall-mounted furniture system 100 may support approximately 75 pounds.Among the various objects that shelves 102 can be used to support,stereo systems and other electronic devices that require the use ofcords, cables, and other wires can be supported by shelves 102.Wall-mounted furniture system 100 enables a user to conceal wires.Specifically, wires can be routed through cable-management cavities 307.In an example embodiment of the present invention, cable-managementcavities 307 are located in housing 306 defined by vertical column 302,as depicted in FIG. 20 a. Wires can then be concealed by insertingretainer clip 372 over cable-management opening 370. Retainer clip 372is generally self-securing. In another example embodiment of the presentinvention, cable management cavities 307 are located in housing 306defined by central column 303. Wires can then be concealed by insertingremovable panels 381 between vertical columns 302 and central column303.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims.Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims forthe present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions ofSection 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unlessthe specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

1. A furniture system adapted to mount on the wall of a structure, thesystem comprising: a body portion adapted to mate with a planar,generally vertical surface of a wall, the body portion defining at leastone vertically oriented wire channel for concealing wires therein andhaving structure receiving a plurality of shelf support brackets; and aplurality of shelves, each of the shelves supported on a separate one ofthe shelf support brackets.
 2. The furniture system of claim 1, whereinthe body portion comprises an elongate generally vertically orientedcolumn structure, the column structure defining a pair of verticallyoriented wire channels, each of the wire channels having a laterallyfacing opening.
 3. The furniture system of claim 2, further comprising apair of covers, each cover for covering a separate one of the laterallyfacing openings.
 4. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein thestructure receiving a plurality of shelf support brackets comprises avertical channel in the body portion, the channel defined by opposingside walls, a rear wall, and a front wall, the front wall defining anelongate vertically oriented opening and inwardly oriented v-shapedgrooves on either side of the opening, each of the shelf supportbrackets including a shelf-height adjustment block defining a pair ofspaced apart pointed members, the shelf-height adjustment blocksreceived in the vertical channel with the pointed members engaged in thev-shaped grooves.
 5. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein each ofthe shelf support brackets has at least one contact portion forcontacting the shelf, the shelf contact portion being faced with a highfriction, low slip material to inhibit slippage of the shelf on theshelf support member.
 6. The furniture system of claim 1, wherein thebody portion includes a pair of shelf attachment columns, the columnsdisposed on opposite sides of the wire management channel and spacedapart from the wire management channel.
 7. The furniture system of claim6, wherein each of the shelf attachment columns define a forwardlyfacing shelf adjustment channel, and further comprising a plurality ofshelf attachment cars, each of the cars slidingly received in one of theshelf adjustment channels.
 8. The furniture system of claim 1, furthercomprising a wall interface plate presenting an upwardly orientedflange, the body portion presenting a hook structure, wherein the hookstructure is engagable over the upwardly oriented flange of the wallinterface plate to support the furniture system on the wall.
 9. Thefurniture system of claim 8, further comprising locking structure forselectively inhibiting disengagement of the hook structure from the wallinterface plate.
 10. A furniture system adapted to mount on the wall ofa structure, the system comprising: a body portion adapted to mate witha planar, generally vertical surface of a wall, the body portiondefining at least one vertically oriented wire channel for concealingwires therein; a plurality of shelves; and means for coupling theplurality of shelves with the body portion.
 11. The furniture system ofclaim 10, wherein the means for coupling the plurality of shelves withthe body portion comprises a plurality of shelf support brackets andstructure for receiving each one of the plurality of shelf supportbrackets.
 12. The furniture system of claim 11, wherein the body portioncomprises an elongate generally vertically oriented column structure,the column structure defining a pair of vertically oriented wirechannels, each of the wire channels having a laterally facing opening,13. The furniture system of claim 12, further comprising a pair ofcovers, each cover for covering a separate one of the laterally facingopenings.
 14. The furniture system of claim 11, wherein the structurefor receiving each one of the plurality of shelf support bracketscomprises a vertical channel in the body portion, the channel defined byopposing side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall, the front walldefining an elongate vertically oriented opening and inwardly orientedv-shaped grooves on either side of the opening, each of the shelfsupport brackets including a shelf-height adjustment block defining apair of spaced apart pointed members, the shelf-height adjustment blocksreceived in the vertical channel with the pointed members engaged in thev-shaped grooves.
 15. The furniture system of claim 11, wherein each ofthe shelf support brackets has at least one contact portion forcontacting the shelf, the shelf contact portion being faced with a highfriction, low slip material to inhibit slippage of the shelf on theshelf support member.
 16. The furniture system of claim 10, wherein themeans for coupling the plurality of shelves with the body portionincludes a pair of shelf attachment columns, the columns disposed onopposite sides of the wire management channel and spaced apart from thewire management channel.
 17. The furniture system of claim 16, whereineach of the shelf attachment columns define a forwardly facing shelfadjustment channel, and further comprising a plurality of shelfattachment cars, each of the cars slidingly received in one of the shelfadjustment channels.
 18. The furniture system of claim 10, furthercomprising a wall interface plate presenting an upwardly orientedflange, the body portion presenting a hook structure, wherein the hookstructure is engagable over the upwardly oriented flange of the wallinterface plate to support the furniture system on the wall.
 19. Thefurniture system of claim 18, further comprising locking structure forselectively inhibiting disengagement of the hook structure from the wallinterface plate.
 20. The furniture system of claim 18, furthercomprising a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of thebody portion relative to the wall interface plate when the hookstructure is engaged with the wall interface plate.